The Parks and Wildlife Service is appealing for the public's help as the bird is a protected species, and shooting them is a criminal offence.

Des Crofton, director of the National Association of Regional Game Councils, said: "Who would do something like that? Somebody who has a firearm and who simply shouldn't have one - and somebody who is completely and utterly irresponsible.

"This is the kind of activity, and the kind of person, which gives the vast majority of good law-abiding, sport shooting enthusiasts a bad name."